Your tip for when you're too busy to work out

As an adult, you have many responsibilities to fulfill on a daily basis. You may be balancing a job, kids, extended family, and a social life.  It can be tough to find any time for yourself!

When our schedules are jam-packed, one of the first things that we often let go of is our workout routine. We stop going to the gym or doing our home workouts because we simply don’t have the time or energy to do so.

Since exercise is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, it is important to incorporate regular movement into your day. Physical inactivity can increase your risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and muscle loss.  Exercise is also important for mental wellbeing.

The encouraging news is that you don’t need to find an hour in your hectic day to ensure optimal health.  When life gets busy, find spare moments to squeeze in a bit of exercise.  These micro workouts can add up, and help you reach the goal of 150 minutes of weekly moderate-intensity exercise.

Here are three ideas for how to fit in extra activity and movement into your day so that you can remain active even when you have a jam-packed schedule.

Take the Stairs Instead of the Elevator

When you’re at work or at the store, it’s tempting to take the elevator and skip the stairs. However, if you want to increase your movement throughout the day, take the stairs as much as possible.

By taking the stairs, you not only add extra steps into each day, you also help strengthen your lower body.  If time permits, do a few extra flights.

Do Push-Ups While You’re Waiting for the Kettle to Boil

If you’re somebody who enjoys a morning coffee, or an evening herbal tea, take this as an opportunity to get your upper muscles working. While you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, do some push-ups against the kitchen countertop.

Squat While You’re Brushing Your Teeth

You brush your teeth twice a day, so it’s the perfect time to squeeze in some exercise. Instead of standing still as you brush, do a few sets of bodyweight squats. This will get your lower body burning (in a good way, of course)!